On the heels of his co-sponsorship of one of Rep. Alan Grayson’s “Save Our Democracy” bills, John Conyers, Jr. has signed on to co-file an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to reverse the horrendous Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision commonly known as the Citizens United decision.
Way to go, Representative Conyers!
Here’s the amendment language:
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSIONH. J. RES. ___
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States permitting Congress and the States to regulate the expenditure of funds by corporations engaging in political speech.IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland (for herself and Mr. CONYERS) introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on __________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States permitting Congress and the States to regulate the expenditure of funds by corporations engaging in political speech.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
‘‘ARTICLE—
‘‘SECTION 1. The sovereign right of the people to govern being essential to a free democracy, Congress and the States may regulate the expenditure of funds for political speech by any corporation, limited liability company, or other corporate entity.
‘‘SECTION 2. Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to abridge the freedom of the press.’’.
I remember the days of the Equal Rights Amendment and how painful it was trying beyond hope to get it passed by enough states to make it part of the Constitution. Hopefully this one will fare better. There does seem to be a groundswell of support for it across party lines. Once people realize that foreign corporations along with any U.S. corporation can flood the airways with “political speech”, I think folks will be quite supportive of it nationally.
Why not drop Rep. Conyers a line on his Facebook page or here?:
- Washington Office: 202-225-5126
- Detroit Office: 313-961-5670
- Trenton / Downriver Office: 734-675-4084
More details and analysis over on a terrific diary at the Daily Kos.
I’m just sayin’…
